Tehran, — April 18, 2026 : Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has confirmed that the first round of negotiations with the United States concluded without agreement after U.S. negotiators, who had initially accepted Tehran’s proposed 10-point plan as a framework, introduced what Iran described as excessive demands during the discussions.
The talks were held in Islamabad over April 12–13, 2026, as part of a Pakistan-mediated diplomatic effort following a temporary ceasefire announced on April 8, 2026. The ceasefire is scheduled to remain in effect until April 22, 2026, unless extended through further agreement.
Negotiation Status and Mediation Channel
According to the SNSC, a second round of negotiations remains contingent on the United States aligning its demands with what Iran termed “battlefield realities.” No date has been set for further talks.
New U.S. proposals have been submitted to Tehran through Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has been engaged in mediation alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Munir met Iranian officials in Tehran on April 17, 2026. Iranian authorities confirmed the proposals are under review and that no formal response has been issued.
Iran has also informed Pakistan’s army chief that it will not give up its missile programme, indicating that the issue remains outside the scope of concessions under consideration.
The 10-point plan referenced by the SNSC served as the basis for the initial discussions. Elements associated with the framework include lifting U.S. sanctions, recognition of Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, withdrawal of U.S. military forces from the region, cessation of hostilities across all fronts, and regulated maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Position
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Washington is engaged in “very good conversations” with Iran and that the process is “working out very well.”
He said Iran had “got a little cute” and attempted to close the Strait again, adding that “they can’t blackmail us.”
Trump also stated that Iran “has no navy and no air force,” and noted that many ships are now heading toward ports in Texas and Louisiana.
Ceasefire Scope and Lebanon Condition
Iran has maintained that the temporary ceasefire must apply across all active fronts, including Lebanon. Following reported Israeli violations of initial ceasefire terms, Tehran pressed for the inclusion of a Lebanon-specific ceasefire.
Israel subsequently accepted the arrangement, resulting in a 10-day truce in Lebanon that aligned with Iran’s condition for broader de-escalation.
Strait of Hormuz Access Conditions
Under the ceasefire-related arrangement, Iran has conditionally opened the Strait of Hormuz for commercial maritime traffic with defined restrictions:
- Passage is restricted to commercial vessels only; military or hostile ships are not permitted.
- Transit remains under Iranian control and supervision.
- Vessels must obtain permits from Iranian authorities.
- Ships are required to follow designated maritime routes.
- The arrangement applies only for the duration of the ceasefire.
Warning on Maritime Disruption
The SNSC stated that any U.S. naval blockade or disruption of maritime traffic under the current arrangement would be treated as a ceasefire violation.
Iran indicated that in such a case it would suspend the conditional access framework and prevent all vessel passage through the Strait of Hormuz, including commercial shipping.
Outlook
No further details have been released regarding the content of the revised U.S. proposals or the timing of a potential second round of negotiations. Pakistan continues mediation efforts as both sides assess their positions within the remaining ceasefire period ending April 22, 2026.
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